Fellowship With Chrsit

by R. Darke, Victoria, B.C., Canada | Category: General | Jul 1989

It is a sobering thing, perhaps not realized by all believers, that the Lord does hear all that we say. We might make statements in a casual, regular, boastful, or derogatory way, and later find Him reminding us of them.

Not only does He see everything with eyes like a flame of fire; know everything as the omniscient One; but He listens, and in some way, reminds us of what we have said. This is what appears to have happened when He was dealing with the last of the seven churches in Asia, Laodicea, provoking the divine Discerner of hearts and thoughts to say to the Christians there: "You say, I am rich, and have wealth stored up, and I stand in need of nothing" (Rev. 3:17 Weymouth). Had He overheard when they talked among themselves, perhaps boasting a little about security in their wealth? Had they overlooked His listening ear? "Because thou sayest, I am rich", was His reminder that He had heard every word. How ashamed they must have felt by His answer. "and knowest not that thou art the wretched one and miserable and poor and blind and naked" (Rev. 3:17).

One wonders if the Lord had been displaced in this assembly of saints by the prosperity and affluence which they shared with the citizens of Laodicea. Were they temporarily blinded by the glitter of gold? Had they resorted to ultra-expensive clothing, changing their status from humble Christian

folk to being linked with an affluent society? In His spiritual eyes they were unclothed, needing the white garments of devoted Christian testimony. Wealth can sometimes lead to a change in social living, and they might have been weaned away into sharing more and more time with the wealthy of Laodicea. The Lord had been the centre of the home - the unseen Guest at every meal - and of the church; but their ambivalence, neither hot nor cold, could have resulted in Him now being overlooked, neglected, forgotten. Was He outside their lives and outside the church? Was He forgotten at His own supper, the Lord's supper? Was it held ritually, and did His absence pass unnoticed? If so, what a tragic state of affairs.

These solemn questions arise because His own words indicate that He had no place collectively, and was seeking it individually. From the outside place He says: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me" (3:20). Within He had been displaced. The brothers and sisters were living without Him, but He was not prepared to let them go easily. The lampstand had not yet been removed (2:5). He was still walking in the midst, knocking at the life door of individuals and inviting Himself in. What a scene of pathos this presents; how grim, even frightening, is the feeling it leaves with one; how easy it is to write critically. Yet at times He does seem to be very much on the outside.

Having painted a somewhat sombre picture, we are thankful that there are rays of bright sunshine. They are seen in the Lord's desire to sup with the one willing to open a closed door. He wanted time with His beloved saint. He did not want a quick snack, a rushed cup of tea, but the time to linger at the full meal held traditionally during the cool of the evening. Scholars tell us that three meals a day was Greek practice. Breakfast consisted of bread dipped in wine; the midday meal was a snack of pita bread with sliced meat, eaten close to the workplace; but the principal meal, at sundown, was called deipnon, representing supper or feast. It was the time to dine, to linger over the meal, to enjoy fellowship, companionship, without haste. Let us savour the grace, the heart longing of the Lord to share in this way with any one of His saints who would open the door. This is how much He loves His people; this is how much He appreciates their company.

Recall with me the home in Emmaus. He had journeyed with the two depressed disciples until He had lifted their gloom with the gracious unveiling of Himself from Moses, the prophets, and the rest of scripture, which ignited their hearts with hope and joy. As He was about to leave them and continue His journey, they pleaded for Him not to leave now, the evening meal-time had come, He was to linger with them over this evening meal. He was to sup with them. He was invited, He did not ask, He did not have to knock on the door. He went in and supped with them, and the invited Guest became the willing Host as He took bread and gave thanks. They would never forget that meal, and this is the response that He longed for from His beloved Laodicean saints.

John and Paul used deipnon in their references to the Lord's supper, that memorable meal which He instituted at the end of a memorable day. He lingered with them on that night of His betrayal, His sorrow. He shared His thoughts with them, explaining the significance of the loaf and cup. It was a solemn occasion as it is for us, too, when we remember Him. It is a time for us to linger, not to be in haste, but to share as deeply as we can in the great eternal work He has accomplished for us. It is a time for the opening of hearts' doors!

R. Darke, Victoria, B.C., Canada | Jul 1989
General